“Visitors?” Eliza asked, standing to her feet.
“The morning after a ball, who else could it be?” Amelia said, standing too with just as much excitement. “It must be a gentleman come to see one of you.”
Eliza practically squealed with excitement as Rebecca groaned inwardly.I know no one has come to see me.
As the door opened, they hastened to look busy. It was not difficult for Rebecca who had already been engrossed minutes before in the writing on those pages in front of her, but for Eliza and Amelia, they put on more of a show. Amelia thrust some embroidery into Eliza’s hands, clearly trying to make her look busy.
“My Lady Birkston, may I present Lord Herberton,” the butler’s words didn’t surprise Rebecca. She pushed the papers back on the desk as she stood to her feet and curtsied to greet him. After his two dances with Eliza last night, it was abundantly clear that he had a favorite at the ball. “And His Grace, the Duke of Frampington.”
Rebecca snapped her head up so quickly from her curtsy that she cricked her neck. In the doorway, having just walked past the butler, was not only Lord Herberton who had turned eagerly toward Eliza and Amelia to bow, but the Duke of Frampington too. The Duke bowed to Eliza and Amelia, before he turned to Rebecca and offered a second bow. She curtsied again, startled by his appearance.
His dark blue eyes found hers, never leaving her, never blinking. She felt almost scorched by that look, as if she were the very thing in the room he had come there to see.
Why on earth is he here?
“Lady Birkston, Lady Eliza. I apologize for calling at this early hour.” Lord Herberton spoke first, hastening toward Eliza with a bouquet of flowers in his hands. Rebecca had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing at his eagerness, for he nearly tripped over the edge of the rug in his determination to reach Eliza.
“Lord Herberton, they are beautiful,” Eliza said as he pressed the flowers into her hands.
“Forgive me, Lady Birkston, I know we have not been introduced yet.” The Duke stepped forward. “I put it down to my friend’s somewhat enamored state with your daughter.” Eliza blushed instantly at the words as Lord Herberton rolled his eyes.
“You are hardly subtle, are you?” he said, shaking his head at the Duke.
“No,” the Duke said unashamedly, tempting Rebecca to laugh. “Allow me to complete the introductions,” he turned back to Amelia. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my Lady.”
“And you, Your Grace. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?” Amelia said, hurrying to curtsy to him.
“I came to offer to be a sort of chaperone to my friend,” the Duke said, nodding his head toward Lord Herberton. “To make sure my dear friend doesn’t embarrass himself, as he has been unable to utter a single normal word since last night.”
They laughed at his words, but there was something odd about it for Rebecca, as after he spoke, his eyes flicked toward her. She frowned, almost thinking it was in her imagination.
“How lovely,” Amelia smiled before she turned back to Lord Herberton and Eliza.
Rebecca saw instantly what was in her sister’s eyes. She was looking up at Lord Herberton with the same excitement that Rebecca had once used looking up at a man.Do not fall for him, sister, I pray you. It can only end in pain.Yet her prayer seemed to go unanswered as the two of them sat down together, beginning a rather animated conversation, with Amelia watching on.
Rebecca was so busy worrying for her sister, she barely noticed the Duke of Frampington was approaching her, not until he was by her side.
“Lady Rebecca,” he bowed to her in greeting.
“Your Grace,” she said distractedly, before flicking her eyes back toward Lord Herberton.
“You look at my friend with much suspicion,” the Duke said as he walked around her, coming to stand beside her, as if adopting the same view she had of the room. “Has he done anything to offend you?”
“Not yet,” she murmured. “It is what hemaydo that worries me so.”
“May I at least vouch for my friend?”
“The word of a rake?” she teased. The words had tumbled from her mouth without much thought. What equally surprised her was the Duke’s reaction as he laughed, urging her to look back at him.
“You think my word doesn’t count for much?” he asked quietly. “Well, may my choice in friends always be my saving grace. It may not count for much at this time, Lady Rebecca, but if you are able to, trust me in this. My friend is the best of men. We have been friends ever since we were boys, and I can think of no kinder man, nor one more loyal. Your sister has no reason to fear his advances.”
Rebecca found herself flinching at the word ‘advances’ as she watched Eliza fuss over the flowers in her hands. She buried her nose in the roses, then sneezed from the pollen.
“He is certainly eager,” Rebecca murmured, still worried as her hands fidgeted together. “His eagerness grew all the more when he discovered her name. No doubt he knew the name and her position.”And her dowry.
“Oh, a cynic indeed,” the Duke said playfully in her ear. He had come so close that Rebecca took a step away, startled by the effect his words had, making a shiver pass down her spine.
He took the chair Amelia had vacated earlier, smiling up at her.
